AmmAr YAsir The DisTinguisheD Companion of The holy propheT (peaCe be upon him anD his progeny) BY: SADRUDDIN SHARAFUDDIN (LEBANON) ISLAMIC SEMINARY PUBLICATIONS ACCRA BOMBAY FREETOWN KARACHI LONDON NEW YORK First Published 1984 Second Edition 2001 International Printing Press Copyright © Islamic Seminary ISBN 0-941724-40-9 Author : Sadruddin Sharafuddin Editor : S. M. Wasi Compositor : Muhammad Husayn Sulyman Printer : Ammar Printers, Karachi This book or any part thereof is sold subject to the condition that it shall not be way of any trade or otherwise be lent or resold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than what it is published in, without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser or donee, except with prior written permission of the copyright owner. ABOUT OURSELVES This international organization named ‘The Islamic Seminary’ established under the patronage of His Eminence Ayatullah al-Uzma As-Sayyid Abul Qasim al-Musavi al-Khui (Rehmatullah alaih of Najaf of Iraq) in 1977, is endeavouring to convey authentic Islamic literature to the people of the world. The object of this organization is to meet the spiritual needs of the present age, to draw the attention of the people to real and solid Islamic learning and to safeguard this valuable treasure of knowledge which has been entrusted to us by the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad and by his Holy Ahlul Bayt (Peace be upon them). This organization has so far published more than one hundred books in Arabic, English, French Urdu, Malay, Hausa, Sindhi and Gujrati which enjoy a high position among the publications on Islamic literature. If Allah wills this process of publication will continue and will show the Straight Path to the humanity. Moreover, many madaris which are being run under the supervision of the Seminary are playing their role in spreading basic Islamic education among the youths of the community. Furthermore, the Seminary also participates in the establishment and development of social and welfare projects of the community. Spreading the message of Islam is a task which needs cooperation by all of us. The Seminary invites you to participate in this noble task so that the teachings of Islam may be spread round the globe. I pray to Almighty Allah to favour us with His kindness and blessings. Sheikh Yusuf Ali Nafsi. Representative of Ayatullah al-Uzma Sistani (Najaf - Iraq) i َّ ْ َ َّ ِمْسِب اهللِ الرح ِن الر ِحيم ISLAMIC SEMINARY PUBLICATIONS Dear Reader. َ َّ َ ُ َ َ ْ ُ ْ َ ْ َ ُ َ َ ُ ُ السﻻم عليكم َورحة ِاهلل َوب َركته This book is an Islamic Seminary publication. Its publications are designed to cater for the spiritual needs of the age with a particular emphasis on grooming Muslim mind and thinking. Utmost efforts have been made by the Seminary to put forth in its publications what is really authoritative and authentic in Islam. You are requested to kindly go through this book in the spirit in which it is intended. You are also requested to communicate to us your free comments on our publication, which will be highly appreciated. Propagating the message of Islam is a task which calls for the co-operation of all. The Seminary invites you to join it in this task complying cordially with the verse of the holy Qur’an: “Say: I give you but one admonition, that you stand for Allah's sake jointly and singly·” (34:46) May Allah bless you! Yours in Islam, Publication Secretary. ii CONTENTS Preface . .1 Sign of Guidance . .7 Ammar - The Ally of Makhzum . 10 Condition of Makkah . .13 The Consultative Body of Quraysh . .25 Ammar and Abu Jahl . 37 Sufferings of the Oppressed . 51 Such is the World! . .59 Dawn of Islam in Madina . .65 The Battle of Ditch . 71 The Day of Saqifa . .81 The Day of Yamama . 145 The Governor of Kufa . .148 Ammar During the Reign of Uthman . 160 The Standard of Imam Ali . 219 Conclusion . .263 4 PREFACE History is like a ship which has accommodated within itself the caravan of mankind. During its long journey it comes across some sensational moments which are called the turning points of history in the sense that during transition from one condition to another, which is a prerequisite of its journey, the movement of time, on some particular occasions, undergoes a special change and evolution, and this change manifests itself in an attractive and delicate form. Appearance of such a condition is the consequence of contact with such a turning point. Undoubtedly the most sensational summit of history and its most subtle turning point was the moment when the elders of the tribe of Quraysh made an offer to the Prophet of Islam, the greatest leader of mankind, saying, “If you desire status, rulership, wealth and luxurious life we are willing and ready to place all these things at your disposal, provided that you don’t malign our gods, don’t interfere with our traditions, regulations and beliefs; and abandon the call which you have commenced.....” When this offer was made, the Prophet remained silent for a moment and then replied: “If you place the sun on my right hand and the moon on my left I will not forsake the mission which has been entrusted to me.” During that moment when the Prophet paused and was preparing himself to give a reply history came to a standstill. Time then suspended its journey and was relieved of its responsibility. It waited for the Prophet to give a reply so that it might learn about its duty. However, as soon as a categorical reply emanated from his sacred lips history became aware of its duty and commenced its new journey. 1 As a result of this a new world and a new history came into being after a few years. The city of Makkah was conquered, the flag of Islam began to fly, and that sacred city was purified and cleansed of the taint of polytheism and ignorance. The Prophet declared: “O people, beware! The period of ignorance has come to an end and a new era has commenced!” History tells us that with the dawn of Islam the period of oppression, transgression, polytheism, infidelity, materialism, hero-worship, and ignorance came to an end, and then commenced an epoch of justice, brotherhood, equality, monotheism, knowledge, wisdom, education and utilization of hidden human talents without which civilization carries no meaning. In short, light and luminosity replaced darkness and turbidity, and in this way a new era commenced. One of the features of this new era which is a requisite for such a great change was that with the advent of Islam the history of mankind underwent a change. Islam practically crossed out the names of the former dignitaries of history in the sense that till that time the title of ‘the dignitaries of history’ was given to those persons who developed the habit of oppressing the people and transgressing upon their rights, left behind themselves bloody events as their memorials in the pages of history and passed away, but after the establishment of Islamic Governmenttruth and justice came at the helm of affairs, unknown persons like Bilal of Ethiopia, Suhayb of Greece and Salman of Iran rose from the hidden corners of society and became the dignitaries of history instead of the Alexanders, the Caesars and the Khusros, and the pages of history were adorned with their names . Dr Muhammad Iqbal, the world-renowned thinker has explained this matter in the following words in his Urdu poem entitled Tulu‘i Islam (Dawn of Islam): The real object of nature and the secret of being a Muslim means universal brotherhood and abundant love. Break the idols of colour and race and get absorbed in one single unity. Don’t make any difference between the Turk, the Iranian and the Afghan. 2 How long will you waste your time hearing the melodies of the birds of the garden? Your arms possess strength to fly like a falcon. The faith of a Muslim in the society is like the flame of a candle in the hut of a hermit in the desert. Just look into history. What was the thing which destroyed the despotism of Kaiser and Kisra? Then compare it with the strength and devotion of Haider (Imam Ali), the abstemiousness of Abu Zar and the truthfulness of Salman Farsi. Just see how the so-called leaders of the nations have, with their pomp and pelf, crushed the people! Hundreds of people who have remained captives for centuries are looking at them through the prison bars! In this world the firmness and survival of life depend on firm faith, because it is confirmed that the Turk has proved to be stronger than the German in the field of life. Just look at this creature of dust! It is due to his inner fire (of faith) that it he has been provided with the wings of the Archangel Gabriel to fly on. Yes, since the singularity of human being is not breakable, and similarly, virtue is not the speciality of any nation, wherever and with whomsoever virtue is found it is respectable and its owner deserves to be honoured; whether he be a Turk, an Iranian, an Arab, a non-Arab, an African, a European or an Asian. Furthermore, by whomsoever the lamp of virtue may be kindled it is necessary that one should utilize the rays of its light. It may be added that great and virtuous persons belong to the entire human race and their rank and status is much above that they may be associated with a particular nation especially in the present age, when fortunately the weak brawls of nationalism have gradually changed into the slogans of internationalism.